The New York Times Saw a Video Online

We’ll start the week right where we left off — gently ribbing the Times, which in this week’s Sunday Styles reports on a YouTube video that’s more than two and a half years old and has fewer than a million hits. But, to be fair, I hadn’t seen it. But, also to be fair, it’s basically the internet equivalent of a spam email, and the article takes the same tone your hapless uncle might if he were to explain, excitedly, that an African prince had gotten in touch over the internet about a fortune he needs help managing?!

THERE is a video gaining steam on YouTube called “The Scariest Picture on the Internet (REAL).” Aside from a short introduction, the bulk consists of a single, still image of a painting set to ominous music. …

“They say it is hard for a person to stare into the girl’s eyes for longer than five minutes,” accompanying text reads. “There are reports that some people have taken their own lives after doing so.”

Is it true? Probably not. Is it fun? Decidedly.

“Probably not.” Oh, NYT. Anyway, here’s the video. Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, etc. And if you don’t hear back from me in the next half hour, I guess it’s fair for my gravestone to say “Killed self after watching YouTube.” And then there can be a frowning emoticon.